He was handed a six month term, suspended for 18 months, and ordered to carry out 200 hours community service.

The court heard how Sheehan-Dinler, of Aycliffe Road, Borehamwood, owned seven high-powered bikes which he would ride up and down the A5183 Elstree Road.

...what arrogance. The arrogance exemplified by your hand gestures to the camera as you sped past it

Judge Barbara Mensah

The bikes were registered at his address under different names, so officers were unable to link Sheehan-Dinler to them.

But officers managed to trace Sheehan-Dinler by finding the new owners of the bikes after he sold them. They also found his usernames and details on the website eBay, which he had used to sell his biking leathers

Yasin Patel, defending, said the road worker had turned over a new leaf after the birth of his daughter one year ago.

He said: "He did make mistakes but that was before his daughter was born. He has shown remorse and he apologises for wasting the court's time."

'Very lucky'

Judge Barbara Mensah said: "Offences of this nature divert valuable police time, where officers could be investigating serious offenders and offences.

"The particularly aggravating feature was that these offences were committed over a long period of time and the underlying driving was very serious.

"Another aggravating feature is, what arrogance. The arrogance exemplified by your hand gestures to the camera as you sped past it.

"The nature of the disposal of the bikes and your clothing was sophisticated and then the aggravating factor of you being a danger to other road users."

She added: "Finally I am also aware from the pre-sentence reports of your irresponsible and selfish attitude to your offending."

Outside court Sheehan-Dinler said: "I was very lucky, I was a very angry boy in my life but I've changed now and I'm sorry for what I've done."